Growth in economic activity has led to a surge in demand for contract professionals in Norway.

According to data from international contractor specialists, 6CATS, the Scandinavian country saw a 170 per cent increase in freelance professionals working there between January and May of this year.

This comes at a time when the Norwegian economy is flourishing, with economic growth outperforming estimates in the fourth quarter of 2018, the fastest pace in over four years.

In addition to this, a 2018 Government report estimated that Norway could face a shortfall of more than 4,000 experts in the niche area of IT security by 2030 unless active measures are taken to reverse the shrinking talent pool.

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Michelle Reilly, from 6CATS said: “There’s certainly been a growth in business activity in Norway that is driving a surge in demand for contract professionals. The need for workers to plug talent gaps in the country is higher than ever, and this is being reflected across multiple sectors, especially in professions such as IT and engineering.

“For contractors, and the agencies that place them overseas, Norway is certainly likely to continue to be a destination of choice in the near future.

"However, employment and tax compliance in the region can be complex. For those needing a visa, it is important to bear in mind that it usually takes around four to six weeks to obtain one. In addition to this, contractors will need to register with Norwegian authorities within three months of any move, which will involve an online pre-application form and a visit to the local police station.”